Omar Khalid
Plastic is a major contributor to pollution, with plastic waste ending up in oceans and landfills, and microplastics infiltrating phytoplankton and damaging their ability to capture carbon. The production and afterlife of plastic are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and the fossil fuel industry is closely linked to the plastic industry. While the public is concerned about plastic pollution and taking steps to reduce plastic usage, demand for plastic is growing rapidly, driven by subsidies for fossil fuels and the low cost and versatility of plastic. This demand is expected to account for 20% of global oil and gas consumption by 2050, with major oil companies ramping up their plastics output.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of global oil consumption used in plastic production | 6% |
| Percentage of global oil use by the petrochemical industry | 14% |
| Projected percentage of global oil and gas consumption by the plastic industry by 2050 | 20% |
| Percentage of recycled plastics in global plastic production | 6% |
| Percentage of plastic demand covered by items banned in Europe | 5% |
| Percentage of public wanting to reduce plastic usage and ban single-use plastics | 70-80% |
| Projected annual demand growth for plastic | 4% |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels and plastic
Plastic is a human invention that has only been around for a little over a century. The first commercially produced plastic, Bakelite, was invented by chemist Leo Hendrik Baekeland in 1907. It was made by synthesizing coal tar and wood alcohol. Plastic use became more widespread during World War II when the US Military began experimenting with its more universal use cases. During this phase of experimentation, chemists started creating plastics using fossil fuels. Following the war, commercial plastic demand increased, and manufacturers, seeking cheaper production methods, began to rely heavily on fossil fuels.
Today, over 99% of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels. Fossil fuels account for over 75% of all greenhouse gas emissions, and with the world's top 7 plastic-producing companies being fossil fuel companies, the production of plastic is directly tied to increases in greenhouse gas emissions annually. Fossil fuel corporations have a large financial incentive to continue producing plastics. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that the demand for oil will decline rapidly in the coming years, with a projected 9% decline in demand for oil, 8% for coal, and 5% for gas. However, the IEA also projects that the demand for plastics will represent 95% of the net growth in demand for oil from 2020 to 2040.
The production of plastic is closely linked to the fossil fuel industry. Petrochemical feedstock naphtha and other oils refined from crude oil are used as feedstocks for petrochemical crackers that produce the basic building blocks for making plastics. The petrochemical industry also consumes large quantities of hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs). The majority of HGLs produced in the United States are byproducts of natural gas processing, and the rest are produced at crude oil/petroleum refineries. The HGLs produced by U.S. petroleum refineries contain both alkanes and olefins. Alkanes can be used as feedstock for petrochemical crackers, while olefins can be used as direct inputs for plastic manufacturing.
The negative impacts of plastics are far-reaching and dangerous. As plastic breaks down, it releases chemicals and microplastics, which are now found everywhere, including in the bodies of terrestrial wildlife, oceans, and fisheries, and even in our food and water. A 2021 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) found that plastic contamination of farmland from single-use soil and plant coverings, tubing, and other materials poses an increasing threat to soil quality, food safety, and human health. Blue whales, for example, may consume up to 10 million pieces of microplastics per day, indicating that other large fish, such as tuna and salmon, are likely consuming significant amounts of microplastics as well.
To address the plastic crisis, it is essential to recognize the connection between plastic and fossil fuels and work towards ending our reliance on both. This includes reducing plastic consumption, improving recycling and waste management systems, and supporting communities opposing new petrochemical infrastructure that threatens their health and perpetuates plastic production.
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Plastic waste in oceans
Plastic waste in the oceans is a critical issue that poses a significant threat to marine life and the environment. Eighty percent of marine debris is plastic, with an estimated 86 million tons of plastic waste in the oceans as of 2013. This plastic pollution comes from a variety of sources, with the top emitters being China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Egypt, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Bangladesh, contributing to 90% of the plastic in the oceans.
Plastic in the oceans ranges in size from large items such as bottles and bags to microplastics formed from the breakdown of plastic waste. These microplastics are particularly harmful as they can be mistaken for fish eggs and consumed by marine organisms, entering the food chain and eventually reaching humans. The light nature of plastic waste allows it to float on the ocean surface, but it can also sink to the seafloor, mix with sediments, and accumulate in submarine canyons.
The accumulation of plastic in the oceans is due to its non-biodegradable nature. Plastics do not biodegrade like other substances and only photodegrade when exposed to the sun, but this process is inhibited by water. As a result, plastic particles can remain in the ocean for long periods, causing widespread pollution.
To address this issue, efforts are being made to reduce plastic production and consumption, improve recycling practices, and trap plastic particles before they enter the ocean. However, the problem is complex and requires cooperation between governments, industries, scientists, and consumers. While there is a push for change, with 70-80% of people wanting to reduce plastic use, the plastic industry is still growing, with a projected 4% growth rate, which will lead to increased plastic production and consumption.
The production of plastic is closely linked to the petroleum industry, with petrochemical feedstocks and hydrocarbon gas liquids derived from crude oil used as building blocks for plastics. As such, the efforts to reduce plastic waste and pollution are intertwined with the fossil fuel industry, and addressing one can have a significant impact on the other.
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Plastic recycling
Almost all plastic is non-biodegradable, and without recycling, it spreads across the environment, causing plastic pollution. For example, as of 2015, approximately 8 million tonnes of waste plastic entered the oceans annually, damaging oceanic ecosystems and forming ocean garbage patches.
The plastic recycling process is mostly mechanical, involving the melting and reforming of plastic into other items. This can cause polymer degradation at the molecular level and requires sorting by colour and polymer type before processing, which is often complicated and expensive. Errors can lead to material with inconsistent properties, making it unappealing to industry. Feedstock recycling is another method, where waste plastic is converted into its starting chemicals, which can then become fresh plastic. This involves higher energy and capital costs.
The plastic industry has been criticised for lobbying for the expansion of recycling programmes, even while research showed that most plastic could not be economically recycled. In the US, the 1970 Resource Recovery Act directed the nation towards recycling and energy recovery, but by 1976, more than a thousand attempts had been made to pass legislation to ban or tax packaging, including plastics. The plastics industry responded with lobbying campaigns to preserve their interests, promoting the idea that plastic could and would be recycled.
In the late 1980s, plastic recycling efforts began in earnest. The US Society of the Plastics Industry created the Council for Solid Waste Solutions in 1988 to promote plastic recycling to the public and lobbied for the labelling of plastic containers and products with recycling symbols. Globalisation in the 1990s led to the export of plastic waste from advanced economies to developing and middle-income countries, where it could be sorted and recycled more cheaply.
Today, plastic recycling is gaining traction, with most people reusing and recycling their plastics. New products are being made from recycled plastic, such as plastic bottles, which are usually made from two types of plastic that are easy to recycle: PET and HDPE. Local authorities are also offering collections for mixed plastics packaging, such as pots, tubs and trays. Additionally, some supermarkets and retailers have started collecting a wider range of plastic bags and wrappings, or soft plastics, making it possible to recycle packaging such as baby and pet food pouches, crisp and sweet packets, delivery bags and salad bags.
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Global demand for plastic
The global demand for plastic is expected to increase in the coming years. In 2020, global plastic production surpassed 400 million metric tons, with an annual increase of 1.6%. By 2050, the global use of plastics is projected to increase to between 594 Mt and 1018 Mt, with up to 4725 Mt of plastics accumulated in stock.
The plastic industry's growth has been significant since 2010, with a 4% rate. This growth rate would lead to a doubling of demand in 18 to 24 years, which the industry is preparing for. However, this projected growth may not be achievable due to required growth rates across the OECD, China, and the rest of the world.
The demand for plastic is driven by its use in various key application industries, such as personal and household care, medicines, food and drinks, and the global penetration of e-commerce. Plastic packaging is widely used due to its high performance, low cost, and durability. It is also resistant to extreme environmental conditions, making it suitable for cosmetics and food and beverage packaging.
The production of alternative materials, such as biodegradable plastic and the development of recycling approaches, are being explored to tackle the challenges posed by the increasing plastic footprint. However, the shift towards using bioplastics will require a significant land area.
Despite the efforts to reduce plastic waste, the fossil fuel industry is investing heavily in the plastic industry. These investments could increase global plastic production capacity by a third, leading to increased production and demand.
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Greenhouse gas emissions from plastic
Plastic is derived from fossil fuels, and the extraction and transportation of these fuels is a carbon-intensive activity. The production of plastic is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with the OECD estimating that the life-cycle emissions of plastics were 1.8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents. This includes the production, use, and disposal of plastics. Most of the emissions come from the production stage, with a smaller amount coming from the end-of-life stage. According to the CIEL report, US emissions from plastics incineration in 2015 were 5.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
The creation of monomers, the refining of hydrocarbons, and the production of other plastic ingredients are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The extraction and transportation of natural gas and oil, which are used as feedstocks for plastic production, also contribute to emissions. According to the World Economic Forum, about 4-8% of annual global oil consumption is associated with plastics, and this is expected to increase to 20% by 2050 if the reliance on plastics persists.
The pollution caused by plastic waste is another concern, as it can release greenhouse gases as it breaks down in the environment. Low-density polyethylene, a common type of plastic found in the ocean, has been found to release greenhouse gases over time. Additionally, microplastics ingested by plankton may reduce the ocean's ability to sequester carbon dioxide.
The plastic industry's growth projections and plans for increased production and capacity have raised concerns about their impact on the environment. Global and national oil companies are shifting their investments into petrochemicals, which could further increase pollution risks and undermine efforts to combat the plastic crisis. The transition towards "zero waste" and the reduction of plastic use and disposal are suggested as paths to mitigate the environmental impact of plastic production and greenhouse gas emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
Only 6% of the world’s global oil consumption is used in plastics production.
Plastic production is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing almost 900 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually. The fossil fuel industry is investing billions of dollars into new plants to produce more plastic, which will significantly increase pollution.
As plastic breaks down in the oceans, it turns into microplastics, which infiltrate phytoplankton and damage their ability to capture carbon, contributing to the atmospheric carbon problem.
Other possible raw materials for plastics include starch, cellulose, sugars, lactic acid, organic waste, vegetable oils, microorganisms, and even the atmosphere itself. Bioplastics are an alternative, with global capacity set to increase from 2,182kt in 2023 to 7,432kt by 2028.
The demand for plastic is driven by subsidies for fossil fuels, as well as the low cost and versatility of plastic. Companies in the food, beverage, and consumer products sectors use plastic for packaging.
